Research suggests Kodi is used in more than five million homes in the UK (Image: KODI)

“For example, we shut down a pirate website called 123Movies, which was out of Hanoi, where about 80 million illegal downloads a month were taking place.

“We were able to win in court against pirate operators called TickBox and Dragon Box, and they represent a new threat: the internet streaming devices, the ISDs, that are basically devices that can be purchased completely legally but when loaded with illegal software, can do enormous damage to content.”

When Rivkin refers to ISDs, it sounds like set-top boxes that are made by third-parties that use Kodi’s free software along with illicit add-ons.

Kodi in no shape or form are associated with the makers of these third-party devices or illegal unofficial add-ons.

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Kodi has regularly denounced the existence of illegal add-ons that help enable piracy.

In ablog postrecently they said: “It's noteworthy to point out that most third-party add-ons aren't illegal.

“They are authored by legitimate developers that, like us, give their free time to the benefit of the community.

“Those developers choose not to submit the add-ons to our repository for a variety of reasons, but the add-ons are legal. Just not official.

Kodi users are being warned add-ons could face the full force of the piracy crackdown (Image: KODI)

“But some are illegal. A few are both illegal and just downright nasty, and some rogue developers even think your hardware is their hardware.

“These developers and the surrounding ecosystem only care about popularity or money.

“Yes, they do make money from you, selling that marvellous VPN that you so desperately need to feel safe, showing you ads galore, promising everything for free.

“We know the story. A work colleague told you about some wonderful software that makes it very easy to watch your favorite sports, movies and TV shows online and for free.

“You go out and buy a Kodi box.

“You plug it to your TV set and voila - instant free entertainment!

“Now, if it sounds like it can't be legit because it literally sounds too good to be true, and that they must be dodgy or bonkers doing all this for nothing, I can tell you your spidey senses are absolutely correct.

“It is too good to be true and there is no such thing as a free lunch.”